South African Tourism is hosting a roadshow of travel trade workshops in China’s key ‘gateway’ cities of Beijing, Chongqing and Shenzhen this week, showcasing top tour operators and updating the market on new attractions and tourism offerings available in South Africa.

The fun, multi-sensory events are immersing the Chinese travel trade in a “total South African experience” re-affirming South Africa as a premium destination for Chinese travelers.

As part of a year-long celebration of the 20th anniversary of Diplomatic relations between South Africa and China, the workshops are demonstrating South Africa as a ‘must visit now’ quality destination.

The workshop roadshows kicked off in Beijing and was attended by the Minister of Tourism for the Republic of South Africa Minister Derek Hanekom, Ms. Debora Balasteng, Minister Plenipotentiary for the Embassy of the Republic of South Africa in Beijing, and South African Tourism CEO, Mr. Sisa Ntshona.

“South Africa is open for business and remains an appealing destination for Chinese travelers, offering abundant, diverse, world class, accredited attractions supported by transport, services and communications infrastructure that competes with the best in the world,” said Minister Hanekom.

“South Africa’s travel trade partners including tour operators, regional tourism authorities, hotel groups and tourism-related business from wine to diamonds are joining the workshops that “serve as a valuable networking opportunity for creating and consolidating new business and trade opportunities and will boost confidence in the destination among outbound operators and travel agents”, added Hanekom.

South African Tourism’s specialist training programmes for the Chinese travel trade are also being showcased, along with signature tourism experiences of this year’s tourism campaign honoring the ‘Father of the Nation’ Nelson Mandela.

Paying tribute to the 100th anniversary of his birth, South African Tourism’s ‘Nelson Mandela Centenary Campaign 2018’ introduces 100 travel experiences curated around the major milestones of his life. The campaign is themed ‘100 Ways to Find the Madiba in You’ – named after the revered, affectionate nickname for Mandela.

The mobile guide provides locations, directions, audio commentary and everything the visitor needs to know about sites along Mandela’s inspiring journey to a free, democratic and nonracial South Africa.

South Africa is also celebrating 20 years of Diplomatic relations with China with a concerted tourism drive.

Direct Beijing-Johannesburg flights, on Air China via a code share agreement with South African Airways, have also established closer air links than ever before.

Daily flights are also available from Guangzhou to Johannesburg via Nairobi on Kenya Airways and many Chinese travelers also fly daily via Hong Kong on South African Airways, Cathay Pacific, Singapore via Singapore Airlines or the Middle East on Emirates, to break up the journey for added comfort and entertainment.

Especially notable are new, non-stop seasonal flights are also being launched between Hong Kong and Cape Town this year by Hong Kong airline Cathay Pacific in Q4 of 2018.